CIPS Saskatchewan Conference 2026: “AI: From Innovation to Operational Reality”
May 28 @ 12:30 pm - 5:00 pm CST
AI: From Innovation to Operational Reality
Generously sponsored by SaskTel
Join us on Thursday May 28th, 2026 for an afternoon of presentations from three keynote speakers, followed by a panel discussion, and networking with IT leaders.
This half-day conference explores how organizations are moving AI from innovation to real-world implementation. Gain practical insights into the opportunities, challenges, and use cases shaping AI adoption across industries.
Attend Virtually or in-person in Regina or Saskatoon and connect with Saskatchewan’s IT community. There is a limited capacity so please register soon to save your spot.
Darren Goski (BSEE, BCompSc), Innovation and Collaboration Lead, SaskTel
Darren Goski is a Collaboration and Innovation Lead in SaskTel’s Business Solutions Division. Darren has over 25 years experience in the technology industry. In addition to his current role, he has experience in a variety of positions including quality assurance auditor, software engineer, and pre-sales engineer. During this time Darren have worked with many industries and customers on a wide variety of solutions and technologies ranging from such things as provincial networks for education to Saskatchewan 811 and 911 solutions to the technology in place at Mosaic Stadium in Regina.
Topic: AI history at SaskTel
Discuss history, high level learnings and use cases of AI at SaskTel from both an internal and customer facing perspective.
Ryan Tessier, PhD, IT Leader, SaskEnergy and Creator and Instructor, Applied AI & Organizational Leadership, McMaster University’s DeGroote Business School
Ryan Tessier, PhD, is a technology strategist, AI educator, and experienced leader focused on helping organizations navigate digital, data, and AI transformation. Ryan works in the utility sector leading technology strategy, application support and business application initiatives while also teaching graduate-level programs focused on Data, AI, and Organizational Leadership.
Ryan has taught AI and leadership programs to MBA students, executives, public sector leaders, and professionals across Canada through Saskatchewan Polytechnic, McMaster University, and Data for Good Saskatchewan. His work focuses on helping non-technical leaders and IT professionals understand how to lead organizational change in the era of AI — bridging strategy, technology, governance, and practical adoption.
Ryan regularly speaks on AI & technology leadership, emerging technology strategy, and the evolving role of IT professionals in enabling responsible and effective AI transformation.
Topic: Leading AI Change: The Evolving Role of IT Professionals
AI adoption is rapidly shifting from experimentation to organizational transformation, creating new expectations for IT professionals and technology leaders. This presentation explores how IT teams can move beyond traditional support roles to become strategic leaders of AI-enabled change.
Drawing from real-world leadership and teaching experience with MBA students and professionals, the session will discuss practical approaches for guiding AI adoption, managing organizational readiness, supporting governance and risk management, and helping business leaders understand both the opportunities and limitations of modern AI systems. Attendees will gain perspective on how IT professionals can position themselves as trusted advisors and change leaders in the evolving AI landscape.
Dr. Kayode Alawonde, Chapter president, ISC2 Saskatchewan
Dr. Kayode Alawonde is the Chapter president for ISC2 Saskatchewan and has over 26 years of experience successfully managing cybersecurity operations and processes. Dr. Alawonde has been extensively involved in designing and implementing information security architecture and projects and programs, which covers various aspects of Information Technology (Cloud & on Premise) and Operational Ts technologies. He has proven ability to align technology to delivering on business strategies within different sectors using appropriate standards and frameworks. He holds the IAPP – Artificial Intelligence Governance Professional (AIGP), ISC2 CISSP and CCSP, TOGAF, SABSA SCP, ISACA CRISC, ISACA CDPSE, ISO 27001, PMP certifications. Dr. Alawonde is very conversant with cybersecurity related standards: NIST cybersecurity framework, NIST SP 800 sets of standards relating to cybersecurity controls and risk management, CIS 18 Controls, ISO 27001 to mention a few. His deep experience covers IT & OT security in Financial, Education, public sector and Energy Sectors. He is an industry leader and speaks regularly at conferences and seminars. Dr. Alawonde is the first ever Cyber Security Lead of the city of Saskatoon, Canada. Dr. Alawonde currently leads cybersecurity for Canada operations of a multinational mining company.
Topic: AI Driven Attack Surface Reduction
The presentation explains how AI‑driven attack surface reduction helps organizations move from reactive security to proactive cyber resilience by continuously identifying, prioritizing, and reducing real risk across complex IT environments. As digital estates expand through cloud, automation, identities, and third‑party connections, traditional, point‑in‑time security approaches generate noise and late remediation. AI provides real‑time visibility, intelligently correlates vulnerabilities and misconfigurations, and focuses efforts on exposures that materially impact critical services and operations. By embedding these insights into IT and DevOps workflows, organizations can prevent issues earlier, reduce unplanned outages, and improve reliability—turning cybersecurity into a business and operational enabler rather than a reactive control.
Agenda (Subject to change)
- 12:30 Welcome
- 12:45 –1:30 Speaker 1 – Darren Goski
- 1:30 – 2:15 Speaker 2 Ryan Tessier, Phd
- 2:15 – 2:30 15 min break
- 2:30 – 3:15 Speaker 3 – Dr Kayode Alawonde
- 3:15 – 3:30 15 min break
- 3:30 – 4:30 Panel discussion (Darren Goski, Dr Kayode Alawonde, Ryan Tessier)
- 4:30- 4:45 Wrap up
- 5:00 Social
- In-Person: Wednesday May 21st 2026 @ 5 pm CST
- Virtual: Wednesday May 27th 2026 @ 5 pm CST
Included with CIPS Membership / $50 for Non-Members
CIPS Certified Members – Attend and Earn Re-Certification Credits!